– The President Buhari-led federal government is waiting for reports before commencing dialogue with the Niger Delta militants
– The National Security Adviser (NSA) Major General Mohammed Monguno (retd.); service chiefs and other top government officials were mandated to interface with militant groups before commencing dialogue
Niger Delta Avengers (L) and President Muhammadu Buhari (R)
Nigeria’s federal government is waiting for reports from the National Security Adviser (NSA) Major General Mohammed Monguno (retd.); service chiefs and other top government officials before commencing dialogue with Niger Delta militants.
They were mandated to interface with militant groups and other stakeholders in Niger Delta.
According to Vanguard, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, confirmed this on Tuesday, August 30.
He said: “The President has charged some people with engaging the various militant groups, and now that they are waiving the white flag, there will definitely be formal talks. “But before that, the NSA, service chiefs and all those involved need to bring their reports, they will be assessed before dialogue will kick-off”.
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It was noted that presidency was aware of the success of the consultative meeting of the Niger Delta monarchs, elders and stakeholders in Effurun, near Warri, Delta State on Friday, August 19, following which the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, declared an unannounced ceasefire.
The government was also conscious that the NDA had given the pan-Niger Delta group, led by Chief Edwin Clark, the authority to represent it in talks with government.
In a related development, the Niger Delta Avengers has released a seven-man committee to dialogue with the federal government.
Shortly after the group announced a cease-fire, it appointed Chief Edwin Clark to serve as spokesperson of the group in negotiating with the federal government.
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